Expert College Advice

If you want some great college admissions advice from top experts, then you won't want to miss Wednesday, December 2 webcast put on by the Wall Street Journal and Unigo partnership. If you have a question, you can email it to WSJoncampus@unigo.com



Participating schools are: Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Williams College in Massachusetts, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, Grinnell College in Iowa, Marquette University in Wisconsin and the University of Vermont.

Thankful (For College and Career Opportunities)

This season reminds us to be thankful. We can all be thankful for our family, friends, and for opportunities. Success, they say, comes when opportunity meets preparedness. So, are you prepared and ready for the opportunity when it presents itself? You can be. Start looking for your opportunity by examining your skills, your interests, and your work values. Then take a look at the job growth outlook. Search for colleges with majors that may lead you to the career you are interested in. Try out a job for size by job shadowing. At Richland Northeast, check in with our Work-based learning coordinator, Mr. Sumter. You will find him and the rest of the career center in E109. Now you know, don't wait for the opportunity to come knocking, go find it for yourself!

Good guessing (SAT/ACT)

There is guessing and then there is good guessing. On the SAT test, good guessing may help you. Random guessing probably won't. The Collegeboard states in their Official SAT Study Guide that if you can eliminate one answer you should guess. The more choices you can eliminate, the greater the chance you will answer correctly. The SAT does penalize slightly for an incorrect answer, so take a stab at it only if you can eliminate at least one answer choice.

The ACT does not penalize your score for an incorrect answer. So guess away.

Artists and College

If you are an artist who wants to pursue art in college, then you probably know that you need a portfolio. Did you know that there are times when many colleges and art schools come together to review portfolios? Check out the dates and locations for a Portfolio Day near you.

The (Increasing) Cost of College

The price of college has increased at both private and public schools again this year. The average cost of attendance at a 4 year in-state college or university is $15,213 , an increase of 5.9%. Private colleges and universities charge an average of $35,636, an increase of 4.3% over the past year. There are now over fifty colleges with a price of over $50,000 per year. The ever-rising price tag is leading many students and families to look for alternative ways to reduce their expenses. This Washington Post article shares some interesting insights into how some families are adjusting to the budget buster called college.

College Admissions Questions

Want to hear what an admissions officer looks for in an application? Take a look at this video posted on youtube by Vanderbilt University on the admissions process. It takes a little while to view, but it is very informative.

Top Ten Reasons to Finish Your College Applications

10) Your mother will stop asking you "have you finished your applications?"
9) You will be able to eat turkey in peace without extended family asking "have you finished applying yet?"
8) You may get an admissions decision prior to the winter holidays.
7) You can go back to watching your favorite TV shows without nagging guilt hanging over your head.
6) You can sleep in peace...especially if you have included an application to a college where acceptance is highly likely.
5) You can concentrate on other things-like senior prom and graduation.
4) If you have forgotten some part of your application, you will still have time to send it in.
3) Many colleges and universities give housing assignments based on the college application receipt date.
2) Many scholarships are offered to students who apply prior to or by a stated priority deadline.
1) Did I mention that your mother will stop asking you "have you finished your applications?"

Go ahead. Get them done. You'll be glad you did!